Funding commitments for schemes to kick-start region’s economy
Humber Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Board has committed funding totalling £9.5m to three schemes across Hull and East Yorkshire designed to stimulate the Humber’s economy over the next 18 months.
The project commitments were made at the Humber LEP’s latest Board meeting.
The LEP Board had previously agreed to add the list of projects to the Getting Building Fund programme with in-principle funding allocations, subject to full business case approval.
All three projects are being supported by Humber LEP’s £13.4m allocation of the Getting Building Fund – part of the Government’s ‘New Deal’ programme in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 lockdown.
They will be managed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council.
Each scheme will contribute to the economic recovery – supporting the creation of sustainable jobs, the resilience and sustainability of the local transport network, and accelerating the development of new homes.
It is intended that the Humber LEP’s allocation of the Getting Building Fund will unlock a total of £192.86m investment in the area. The three schemes are:
Hull and East Yorkshire Highways Resilience Programme (£2m): This programme will support road maintenance schemes in Hull and East Yorkshire, in the East Riding focusing on repairs to A-roads, while in Hull the project will support road repairs in Hull before major construction begins on the £355m A63 Castle Street scheme.
Delivering Housing Growth Programme – Ings and Wawne 2 – (£4.8m): A new spine road and electrics in Ings could see a further 310 homes built on location sooner than expected, while in Wawne a further 850 homes could be built sooner than expected with the installation of a new spine road and drainage, adding to existing new homes currently being built on both sites.
Hull & East Yorkshire Cycle Route Delivery Programme – Phase 1 (£2.7m): A programme of cycle infrastructure upgrade and provision of new cycle facilities which will focus on provision in Hull and East Riding along Beverley Road (A1079) and the route from Cottingham to the City Centre.
An additional three projects supporting business in the region are set to be confirmed shortly – the RaisE Business Centre and Innovation Hub (£1m), the Managed Workspace Programme A – Grovehill (£0.5m): and the Managed Workspace Programme B – BeSpoke Business Resource Centre and Boulevard 4 (£0.5m).
Stephen Parnaby, chairman of the Humber LEP, said: “I am delighted the Humber LEP Board has committed funding to these three important projects, which will support the region’s businesses, see new homes built, improve our roads and encourage more people to cycle.
“All these projects will not only provide new jobs and safeguard existing jobs, but will also help support the Humber’s mission to become net-zero by 2040.”
Councillor Richard Burton, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I’m delighted the Humber LEP has committed to funding these diverse projects which will really help stimulate and grow the Humber economy and look forward to working with them as well as Hull City Council.
“Supporting local construction is vitally important to our local economy and will help our region to recover and thrive as well as providing tangible benefits for motorists, cyclists and the travelling public by improving our highway and cycling infrastructure.”
Councillor Stephen Brady, leader of Hull City Council, said: “We are delighted that this funding has been secured and in order to successfully recover from this pandemic, we need to ensure our city has reliable and extensive transport connections.
“A sustainable and strategic transport network not only builds an accessible city for everyone, but can support the region’s growth as we work towards supporting our residents and businesses to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.”
